Anti-Bullying Bill

Supporters of a bill that would extend anti-bullying protections to LGBT students plan a new strategy for the legislation that failed last year.

By Glenn Gullickson

LGBT anti-bullying bill to get another test in Arizona Legislature

Supporters of legislation that would extend anti-bullying protections to LGBT students in Arizona schools hope that a change in strategy will lead to passage when it is introduced again at the Arizona Legislature.

Rep. Katie Hobbs (D-Legislative District 15), who sponsored a similar bill that died in committee in the 2011 session, said she will carry the bill again in the House when the Legislature opens its session on Jan. 10.

"I think it's really important," Hobbs said during a telephone interview. "We need to make sure all students are safe at school."

With the exception of the removal of Sen. Russell Pearce in a recall election, the membership of the Legislature is unchanged since the last session, with Republicans holding a dominating majority in both houses.

"I don't know if anything has changed," Hobbs acknowledged of the atmosphere at the Capitol. "Our strategy will be a little different. We're trying to get both sides on board."

Hobbs said it was too early to reveal details of the strategy, noting that supporters of the bill were still working on its language.

Among the supporters is expected to be Nicole France Stanton, wife of new Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. "We're really excited to have her on board," Hobbs said.

In an interview with The Arizona Republic, France Stanton said she would use her influence to launch an anti-bullying initiative and would testify at the Legislature in support of an anti-bullying bill.

Tom Mann, chair of Equality Arizona, said that anti-bullying is the statewide civil rights group's highest priority in the new legislative session. "We're raising awareness," he said. "We have a chance of passing it this session."

Mann said Equality Arizona plans to meet with John Huppenthal, state superintendent of public instruction, to seek his support for the bill. Huppenthal, a Republican, recently apologized for remarks that were perceived as anti-gay.

Mann said that it was expected that the LGBT anti-bullying bill would take a couple of years to gain momentum and Equality Arizona hadn't expected it to pass in the last session.

The election of Stanton, a Democrat, as Phoenix mayor is "a glimmer of light," Mann said. "The pendulum is now swinging back. Arizona is going to swing back [to being] more moderate."

Mann said that Equality Arizona is ramping up for the 2012 elections, which will include legislative seats. Part of the group's effort includes regular meetings with the handful of out LGBT lawmakers, Mann said.

Mann said Equality Arizona plans to conduct an LGBT lobby day this year at the Capitol, but he said the date has not been determined. -E